With the 49ers reportedly zeroing in on one of Mac Jones or Trey Lance for the No. 3 pick in Thursday night’s NFL Draft, the quarterback-needy Patriots could be tempted to trade up for Ohio State’s Justin Fields, a former Heisman finalist and one of just six players in FBS history to compile 40 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing scores in the same season. If the Patriots are able to land Fields in the first round (the Pats have reportedly been in touch with Carolina about moving up to No. 8), it would cast doubt on Cam Newton’s future in New England.
Though the injury-prone Newton was never thought to be the Patriots’ long-term solution at quarterback, it would certainly be ironic if the former MVP lost his starting job to Fields, who he once declared the “best player in high-school football.” Before he rose to stardom at Ohio State, Fields was a standout at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia, a short drive from Newton’s home in Atlanta.
“Best player in high school football here. If you’re a high school player and you’re watching this, you know it’s the truth,” said the former Heisman winner, putting his arm around Fields in a video shared by the NFL’s official Instagram account. “If you’re a recruiter, this is the best thing any recruitment can get you right here. I’m Cam Newton and I approve this message.”
A five-star high-school recruit, Fields was rated the No. 2 prospect in his class behind fellow Georgia native Trevor Lawrence, the likely top pick in this year’s draft. Newton and Fields share a similar dual-threat skill set, though Fields might actually be a hair faster, clocking a blistering 4.44 at his recent Pro Day. Newton ran the 40-yard dash in 4.59 when he attended the NFL Combine in 2011.
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